Can I legally paint the curb around my driveway?

Q: We are often trapped in our driveway when people park too close to the sides for us to be able to make a turn to get out without about five different moves.

We once saw a city of Seattle police department brochure that states that you must leave 5 feet from a driveway and that the property owner can use special yellow paint but can’t seem to locate it now.

Has the new mayor eliminated the driveway parking buffer and who is supposed to paint the curb?

A: The restriction against parking within five feet of a driveway still stands. That is outlined in section 11.72.110 of the Seattle Municipal Code:

No person shall stand or park a vehicle in front of a public or private driveway within a street or alley or in front of or in an alley entrance or within five feet (5′) of the end of a constructed driveway return or alley entrance return, or if none, within five feet (5′) of the projection of the edge of the driveway or alley.

If a driver violates that, he or she could be out $38.

“As a reminder to drivers, the property owner or the building occupant may paint the top of the curb in the restricted area with ‘traffic yellow’ paint,” Seattle Department of Transportation spokeswoman Marybeth Turner said.

Here’s something to consider before painting the curbs: Homeowners don’t get an exception. Technically, if you park on a city street within 5 feet of your own driveway, you could be nailed for the $38 ticket.

Homeowners also can be busted for blocking their own driveway while parked on a city street. Be careful.

Thanks to the people who submitted questions. Scroll through a list of previous answers below.